024: Disciples Making Disciples

The book of Acts tells of the supernatural and explosive growth of the early church. Despite persecution and many hardships, despite the lack of modern travel and technology the gospel message rapidly spread throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe. How did the gospel spread so quickly and broadly? Certainly it was the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit worked through the bold verbal proclamation of the gospel message by ordinary disciples everywhere they went. Certainly it included strategic and intentional efforts to take the gospel and start new churches in place where it had yet to be proclaimed.

Paul gives us an insight to another important factor in the rapid multiplication: 2 Timothy 2:2 "...and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Paul instructed Timothy to make disciples and to train those disciples to teach others also. Paul taught Timothy who taught “faithful men” who taught “others”. That is what we need to do. We need to have a vision to make not just one generation of disciples but strive to train the “faithful" to teach others.

When you lead someone to Christ begin to disciple them using the Next Steps. Teach them how to share Christ with their friends and family. You don’t have to be an expert in evangelism because one of the best way to train them will be to share your own experiences, trials, and victories. Holding one another accountable, setting bi-weekly goals, and praying together will help lead them to soon begin making and training disciples who will make and train disciples. May more and more people experience the great love of our God and Savior Jesus Christ!

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